PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a hormonal condition that affects many women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles and high levels of the male hormone androgen. The ovaries may produce a large number of small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to release eggs regularly.
PCOS's actual cause is uncertain. Early detection and treatment, and weight loss can help lower the risk of long-term problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
PCOS manifests itself in a variety of ways. When you have at least two of the following symptoms, you have PCOS.
Irregular Periods: Menstrual cycles that are infrequent, irregular, or protracted are the most common symptom of PCOS. For example, you may have less than nine periods per year, a period interval of more than 35 days, or extremely heavy periods.
Excess Androgen: Excess face and body hair (hirsutism), as well as severe acne and male-pattern baldness, can all be symptoms of elevated male hormone levels.
Ovaries With Polycystic Cysts: Your ovaries could be larger, with follicles around the eggs. As a result, the ovaries may stop working properly.
If you're obese, the signs and symptoms of PCOS are usually more severe.
Even though PCOS is a very common disorder, the various symptoms can make it difficult to identify. That's why women must understand how PCOS affects their periods.
Let's take a look at some of the most prevalent aspects of PCOS periods.
Periods That Are Consistently Irregular
While it's quite common to have a period that's a day or two late now and again, irregular cycles could indicate PCOS.
The usual menstrual cycle lasts 28 days; however, any period lasting between 21 and 35 days is considered normal. An irregular period is described as having fewer than eight cycles per year or cycles lasting longer than 35 days.
Because various reasons, including PCOS, can cause irregular period timing, check with your online lady doctor if your cycle isn't in the normal range.
No Periods at All
Some women with PCOS don't have their periods for three or more cycles in a row. Amenorrhea is one of the most common reasons for infertility in women who have PCOS. After all, if there are no periods, there are no eggs released throughout the menstrual cycle.
It's a good idea to keep track of your menstrual cycle, so you know how long it's been since your previous period. If you observe a three-month gap between periods, talk to your lady gynaecologist or reach out for an online lady doctor.
Extremely Heavy Periods
During their menstrual cycle, people with PCOS may suffer more bleeding. Menorrhagia, the medical term for this condition, is caused by low progesterone levels linked to PCOS.
Menorrhagia is characterised by heavy bleeding that lasts at least seven days. During a typical period, the average blood loss is 40-40ml. Menorrhagia causes women to pass more than 80 millilitres of blood per period, as well as clotting.
While periods are normally heavier in adolescence, very heavy periods may indicate an underlying problem and should be addressed.
Painful Periods Due to PCOS
Heavy periods are often accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms like cramps (dysmenorrhea). While many women find relief from menstrual cramps by using a hot water bottle and taking paracetamol, period cramps can be extremely debilitating for others.
Each woman's body is unique. The above-mentioned menstruation symptoms aren't always indicative of PCOS, although they can be. The only way to be certain is to consult a gynaecologist. If you want to consult an online lady doctor, save yourself the hassle of checking multiple links on google and click here.